A Hard Habit To Break

Chapter 5

OLIVIA

"Now that Jenny already left. Could you tell me now where Lance is?" Pakiusap naman ng babae kay Justin na kasama ni Jenny pumasok dito sa café. Napabaling ako sa lalaking katabi ko ngayon na nakatago pa rin at parang may ibinubulong.

"Don't even try to spill it, Justin. I'll punch your face when you do." Rinig kong bulong ni Mr. Friendly slash playboy na para bang ini-imagine na kausap niya si, Justin. I guess he's Lance.

Napakamot ng ulo niya si Justin."Sorry, Lara. Lance isn't here, too. Kasama niya ngayon mga ka-org niya. I think they have an important project to do."

Yumuko bigla ang babaeng tinawag niya na Lara."Why does he always have an important thing to do every time I look for him." Tumunghay ito at mataman siyang tinignan. "Is he doing it on purpose?" Tanong niya na parang iiyak na. I could see that Justin is having a hard time answering Lara's question. I feel you, Justin.

Kung titignan ay isang prim and proper si Lara. Pino ang kanyang kilos at mahinhin ang kanyang boses. Parang sinanay siya na maging gano'n. Lahat sa kanya ay kalkulado, kung paano siya makipag-usap kay Justin at pati ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha. Napatingin ako bigla kay Justin nang magsalita ito.

"You know how busy he is, Lara. I thought he explained to you that what you have is already over." Justin answered Lara in the best way he could, so he wouldn't hurt her feelings.

"Yes, he did. But please, Justin... tell him to return my calls once you see him again." Lara almost begged Justin, and she was really on the verge of crying. Poor lady.

"Yes. I will," he replied. Bahagya siyang tumingin sa counter dahil nakasilip si Lance sa table nila. Hindi siya kita ni Lara dahil nakatalikod ito.

"Thanks, Justin," she mumbled, and turned her back to walk outside the door.

Nang masigurado nila Cloud at Lance na wala na ang dalawang babae na naghahanap sa kanila ay saka sila lumabas sa pinagtataguan nila. They went back to their table and Justin gave them a death glare. And as usual, wala pa ring pakialam sa mundo si Mr. Caffe Americano.

These boys are really a pain in the ass.

Narinig kong umingos si Mark at lumapit sa'kin. "Ma'am, mga dakilang chickboys din pala ang mga 'yan. Tapos 'yan pa ang mga tipo ni Josie? Naku!" Sabi niya at masamang tingin ang ipinupukol nito sa mga lalaking nasa table number 15.

"Hoy! Ano 'yang sinasabi mo kay Ma'am Olivia, ha?" Singit naman ni Josie na nakabalik na pala ng counter. "Ang sabihin mo inggit ka lang dahil madaming babae nagkakagusto sa kanila." Sumimangot na lang si Mark at hindi na pinatulan pa si Josie sa sinabi nito. Kawawang Mark.

Sana naman wala nang manggulo pa na babae dito sa café dahil patawarin ako ng Diyos. Mumurahin ko na talaga sila! Nakakabwisit lang kasi ang mga babae na panay habol sa mga lalakeng 'to. If these guys no longer want them, then so be it. If these guys don't see their worth, then they have to accept the truth that they aren't ready for a serious relationship yet. Dapat sa una pa lang alam na nila 'yon. Sumasakit lang ulo ko sa kanila.

"Good morning! Welcome to Heaven's café." Narinig kong bati ni Josie sa bagong pasok na customer. Tumingin lang ito sa kanya at nilampasan siya.

This woman shouts elegance and sophistication from head to toe. Everything she wears is all branded, and as far as I know, some of it is not yet out in the market. Maikokompara ang kagandahan niya sa isang anghel na bumaba sa lupa pero kabaliktaran naman ang ugaling taglay. Alam kong ito palang ang unang beses na nakita ko siya at baka nagkakamali lang ako sa panghuhusga sa kanya. May kasabihan tayong, "First impression never lasts, but the second impression lasts." But it always depends, though, because whatever a person impresses for the first time, always lasts in one's mind. May it be good or bad, eyes can see what the brain can not see. And the brain, on the other hand, serves as a storage of memories that the eyes can't do if ever they need to recall what they have seen back then.